[en] The author describes recent advances in the chemistry and the pharmacology of African Strychnos. Emphasis is given to the study of leaves of Strychnos usambarensis which contain a series of new molecules (strychnopentamine, strychnofoline, usambaridines ( hydroxyusambarines) A further novel alkaloid (akagerine ) is also identified from the roots of the same species colected in the National Park of Akagera in Rwanda. .

This dissertation has permitted to the author to receive the Prize of the Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine (period 1974-1976).See Report of the Jury in " Bulletin et Mémoires de l'Académie Royale d Médecine de Belgique Année 1977 Pages 251-252 and Report of the Awards Ceremony organized at Brussels on 18th February 1978 in "Bulletin et Mémoires de l'Académie Royale de Médecine de Belgique" 1978, pages 132-134.